Thousands join London G20 protest

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By Fu Jing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-03-29 15:41

London -- Thousands of marchers have strongly expressed their anger over bankers whose greed has been blamed for the deepening financial crisis during a five-hour demonstration and rally.

Demonstrators march through central London March 28, 2009. Thousands of demonstrators marched through London on Saturday to demand action on poverty, jobs and climate change at the start of a week of protests aimed at the G20 summit in the capital. [Agencies]

Among them were Geoff Stratford, aged 73 and his wife, who got up at 4:30 on Saturday morning and took train from Manchester to deliver this message to the G20 leaders who will meet this Thursday in London.

"The causes of the (financial crisis) lies in casino capitalism and greed of bankers," Stratford told China Daily while holding high a banner and proceeding forward in the crowd. "We want to get the view through to the leaders who are meeting to find consensus."

To achieve that, Stratford said they will join the scheduled marches this Wednesday and Thursday again in London. "We have pensions and not affected much by the crisis but the leaders should correct mistakes and make less people suffer."

About 35,000 marchers have peacefully delivered their messages of a range of subjects, from poverty, inequality and jobs to war, climate change and capitalism.

Brass bands, piercing whistles and stereos blasting music have accompanied the procession weaving through the 4.5 miles march route from the Temple Place in the western London to the Hyde Park, where a two-hour rally was held.

Commander Simon O'Brien, one of the senior command team in charge of policing security, said: "It's fair to say that this [the march] is one of the largest, one of the most challenging and one of the most complicated operations we have delivered."

In the run-up to the G20 summit, a huge security operation is under way with all of the London police not being allowed to take leave around the Thursday summit.

Dressed in green sports wear, the 40-something Andrea Porteous is shouting together with her ten-year daughter Taylera again and again: "Put Children first."

Not willing to admit she was sacked, Porteous sutbly said: "I just finished my work days ago." However, as an office administrator, Porteous accepted no response so far despite she have sent CV out for several times.

"And even some of my friends couldn't find any feedback after sending 20-30 job applications letters."

In the procession are also groups of trade unions. John, a taxi driver in London, said he has to work longer than before the financial crisis, which has brought his daily income to a 20-30 percent decrease.

"I have to drive even six days a week or a minimum of two extra hours every day," said John, who refused to give his full name. "I am urging the G20 leaders to find a way to punish those who brought the crisis in."